PODCAST: Australia’s role in a multipolar world, with Mike Pezzullo and Ross Babbage

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Mike Pezzullo, former secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, and Ross Babbage, CEO of Strategic Forum and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, to discuss Australia’s role and challenges in the deteriorating global order.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Mike Pezzullo, former secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, and Ross Babbage, CEO of Strategic Forum and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, to discuss Australia’s role and challenges in the deteriorating global order.

The trio discuss a range of issues facing Australia and the broader Western alliance network at a time when authoritarian powers are on the march across the globe, including:

  • The triumph and importance of American power in securing a peace deal between Israel and Palestine that has continued to rage since 7 October 2023.
  • Predictions about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s first official bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump.
  • Mounting political and public concern about Australia’s lack of economic complexity and industrial capacity and its impact on national security and sovereignty.
  • Real world examples of reindustrialisation in action across the United States and other like-minded nations that can provide models for Australia to emulate.
  • Policy measures our leaders can implement to facilitate the rebuilding of Australia’s industrial base and enhance our national security.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: SPOTLIGHT: Cyber warfare, autonomy and the future of defence, with Palo Alto Networks’ Tom Scully and MAJGEN (Ret’d) John Davis
Episode 10: CONTESTED GROUND: Fortune favours the bold – building a national security strategy for the 21st century, with Marc Ablong
Episode 9: PODCAST: Developing Australia’s ability to take a hit and keep fighting, with the honourable Andrew Hastie MP, shadow minister for industry and sovereign capability
Episode 8: PODCAST: AUKUS expansion, artillery manufacturing and Australia’s regional defence role
Episode 7: SPOTLIGHT: Building mass, capability and trust with autonomous and uncrewed systems, with Michael Mitchell, Elysium EPL director
Episode 6: PODCAST: Defence policy, domestic manufacturing and military culture, with Senator Malcolm Roberts
Episode 5: SPOTLIGHT: LAND 156, counter-drone warfare and electronic warfare capability, with Department 13’s Ben Westgarth
Episode 4: PODCAST: Australia’s first 3D printed autonomous USV, with Josh Wigley and Harry Hubbert
Episode 3: PODCAST: Australia’s shipbuilding future, landing craft pipeline and autonomous vessels, with Austal CEO Paddy Gregg
Episode 2: CONTESTED GROUND: Assessing the fallout and implications of the latest Trump–Xi meeting for Iran, Taiwan and Australia